Beijing cracks down on outdoor kebab vendors' grills in war on pollution

BEIJING (Reuters) - Alarmed by pollution in the Chinese capital, the authorities in Beijing will crack down on smoky outdoor grills from May 1, in a move that will hit the city's popular kebab stalls, state media reported on Wednesday.

During Beijing's sweltering summers, many residents gather round sidewalk tables, drinking beer and eating food cooked in the street, and the ban is bound to make an impact coming into effect on a Labour Day holiday.

The new rules, which also target eateries serving popular cold dishes, are intended to help preserve food safety and control smog, state-owned China News Service reported on its website.

Popular snacks like garlic cucumber salad and cold tofu skin will likely no longer be sold outdoors, the news report said. Grills where skewers of lamb, beef, chicken wings and vegetables are cooked must be moved inside.